Helena Bonham-Carter stars in this adaptation of the Henry James novel. Kate (Bonham-Carter) is in love with penniless journalist Merton (Linus Roache). If she marries him, she will have to give up her inheritance and live in poverty. Unwilling to do this, she persuades Merton to romance the dying American heiress, Millie Theale (Alison Elliott), in order that he should receive her fortune when she passes on. However, Kate has not planned for one eventuality - that Merton should fall in love with Millie for real.